In dogs, heat stroke is a potentially deadly condition that occurs when the pet's body overheats. Heat stroke, also known as hyperthermia, is among the most serious hot weather dangers for dogs and cats alike.
According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, there are many situations and factors that can lead to an overheated dog, including:
- A walk in hot weather;
- Sitting in a hot car (even if the windows are rolled down or if the car is parked in the shade);
- Sitting outside in the heat;
- Muzzling during warm or hot weather; and
- Running or playing during warm weather.
Breed also plays a factor. Brachycephalic dog breeds like the Pug, English Bulldog and Boston Terrier are more prone to heat stroke. Dogs with short snouts are less effective at cooling their body with panting, so brachycephalic breeds overheat faster and they develop heat stroke faster than their long-snouted counterparts like the Pharaoh Hound, Doberman Pinscher and Greyhound. Double-coated dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, Pomeranian and Pekingese are also more prone to heat stroke.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs
A dog's normal temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A dog with heat stroke (mild to moderate) will have a body temperature between 104.0 to 106.0 degrees. If a dog's temperature rises above 106.0 degrees, severe heat stroke is diagnosed.
Heat stroke symptoms can vary, depending on the degree of overheating. In a minor case of hyperthermia, the dog may have dark red gums (also described as "brick red gums") and he may seem a bit "out of it" or depressed. Dogs with severe heat stroke will also exhibit pale gums, seizure, loss of consciousness and other symptoms associated with shock. In a case of severe heat stroke, vomiting blood and bleeding is not uncommon
Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs can include:
- Heavy panting
- Brick red gums (seen in mild or moderate heat stroke cases)
- Pale gums (seen in severe hyperthermia cases)
- Dry gums
- Sticky, thick saliva
- Confusion and disorientation
- Stumbling and poor coordination
- Collapse or an inability/refusal to walk
- Vomiting (sometimes, with blood)
- Diarrhea
- Seizure or tremors
- Loss of consciousness and coma
If untreated, the dog with heat stroke will go into shock, fall into a coma and death will occur shortly thereafter.
First Aid for a Dog With Heat Stroke
In many cases, the pet's veterinarian will recommend on-site cooling for a dog with heat stroke, as many will not survive a trip to the veterinary clinic. It's vital to contact the veterinarian to describe the pet's condition; the vet will then make a recommendation: immediately rush the hyperthermic dog to the the clinic or cool the animal prior to transport.
The following steps should be performed to cool dogs with heat stroke:
- Move the dog out of the sun and heat; ideally, the dog should be moved to an indoor, air conditioned location.
- Fill a tub with a few inches of cool water.
- Pour room temperature water over the dog's entire body.
- Aim a fan at the dog (if a fan is unavailable, fan the dog manually with a magazine or similar item)
- Offer a bowl of cold water for drinking.
While administering first aid to an overheated dog, it's important to avoid rapid cooling as this may shock the animal's already fragile system. Never use ice or cold water to cool the dog's body. Owners should never place a hyperthermic dog in a pool; he may be too weak to swim and the pet will be at risk of drowning due to the intense panting that accompanies heat stroke. Also, a dog should never be forced to drink water; this can lead to choking or aspiration (inhaling fluid into the lungs.)
Heat Stroke Treatment – Care After Cooling a Hyperthermic Dog
During the cooling process, the dog's temperature should be taken (rectally) every five minutes. Once the dog's body temperature has been lowered to 103.0, he should be transported to the veterinarian's office. If a thermometer is not available, Dr. Levine recommends cooling the dog until panting has subsided to the point where the dog is able to drink water for short periods of time. (Initially, the dog will be unable to drink due to severe, incessant panting.) At this point, it is generally safe to transport the pet to the veterinary clinic for treatment.
"Always call the veterinary clinic to let the staff know you're en route with a dog with heat stroke. This gives the vet's staff an opportunity to set up and prepare for the patient; this way, we can begin administering treatment immediately," Dr. Levine recommended.
According to Dr. Levine, heat stroke in dogs is a medical emergency. Even after the pet has been cooled, he may suffer from complications related to shock and dehydration, along with blood clotting problems and organ problems like kidney failure and heart arrhythmia.
In dogs, heat stroke incidents can trigger a potentially deadly series of events; those problems continue, even once the dog's body is cooled. Therefore, a trip to the veterinary clinic is vital. An overheated dog may require emergency lifesaving measures, vital sign monitoring, IV fluids, oxygen therapy and blood tests to diagnose organ failure or clotting problems.
The summer heat poses many dangers to pets. In addition to heat stroke, dogs may sustain paw pad burns, foot blisters and other injuries while walking on hot pavement. To learn more, read Dog Paw Pad Injuries in Summer Heat.
Sources:
Interview with Dr. Michael Levine, DVM on May 30, 2010.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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